front suspension

kenny1allen · 09-22-2011, 09:14 AM

Went to the track last weekend and had major problems with front end grip. Not sure if it was the 290.00 $ dunlop specials or is the front forks just junk. The front D209 medium comp is 2 years old. Guess thats why they were cheap. Every time go down to drag a knee the front end looses grip. Guys told me they had to install ohlins internals. But those are the same guys who are doing lap times that I was doing on a sliding front end. Any thoughts or experiences?

S1000RR ROB · 09-22-2011, 09:59 AM

tyre all day long mate has the tyre sat at all gone very hard has it gone blue at all, does it feel chalky at all.

Used2be · 09-22-2011, 03:06 PM

Between the two options you mention it would seem to me that buying a new, recently built front tire is a lot less expensive than buying Ohlins internals for the forks. Then you can make a more informed decision on your suspension choices. Everyone rides differently and you have to make decisions based on YOUR experience. Of course you've already tried different settings on the stock suspension, front and rear, to see what works best for you.

**1000RR** · 09-22-2011, 03:16 PM

Just because the tires are two years old doesn't mean they are/were bad. If they were still unused when you bought them and whoever had them prior stored them properly, they should still handle the likes of a trackday just fine.

So if that is the case (above statements), I would lean more towards suspension issues. This doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money either...

Nikk777 · 09-22-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1000RR

Just because the tires are two years old doesn't mean they are/were bad. If they were still unused when you bought them and whoever had them prior stored them properly, they should still handle the likes of a trackday just fine.

So if that is the case (above statements), I would lean more towards suspension issues. This doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money either...

+1.... Have you had the suspension set up properly? Was the track bumpy? Any changes to geometry?

I raised the front on my bike and the front felt like it had no grip... didn't actually push or slide but I had zero confidence in it! Brought it back down and instantly picked up 3 sec's per lap and had confidence again. With it raised, it turned extremely easy but just wasn't quite right feeling for me....

H-2 CHARLIE · 09-23-2011, 02:30 AM

Herd all good about the Q2s .. i have not tryied them yet ... but my OEM contis i never trusted down low but were fine at high speeds . Im using power pures .

Nikk777 · 09-23-2011, 09:48 AM

Also, I've raced this whole season on dunlops made in 2007...i'm at the front of the pack so age does not mean the tires are bad. If they have sat in the sun and went through countless heat cycles everyday, that's a different story. But that's not the case if you bought them from the dealer or tire vendor.

kenny1allen · 09-23-2011, 02:55 PM

are you still riding on the track with the stock front end? If so, have you experienced any problems with it. I put the settings to what the front fork says to put in slick mode and it was better but the front still wanted to tuck. Tightened the fork springs but it was alot harder to turn in. Let me know thanks

**AMRRA12** · 09-23-2011, 03:25 PM

front forks have no rebound damping.

were did you have your suspension set at "on comp and rebound"

Nikk777 · 09-23-2011, 03:45 PM

I have Ktec gas charged forks and ohlins rear shock so nothing is stock... But the stock stuff can be adjusted to handle the track well enough till you get to a pretty advanced pace. You just have to adjust it for your riding preference and size. Usually there is a suspension guy at trackdays that you can pay to help you with this which is well worth the $$$. Whatever works on the street pretty much gets thrown out the window at the track.

Also, my good friend is an ex-AMA racer and current WERA expert racer who has won every race he's been in this year. He tried setting my suspension up to "feel" like his on his gsxr 1000 race bike... I took it out and was scared the whole time. Bike was bouncing and just wouldn't turn right. Came through a fast left hander that falls downhill and the front end literally skipped off the ground and tucked... Luckily I had my knee out and threw it down and saved it but needless to say....I pitted immediately. Went back to my initial settings and bike felt normal again.

All that to say, each bike is different and each rider looks for different things in how their bike handles. Get a suspension tuner to work with you at the track and dial it in. Best $$$ spent towards reducing your lap times AND riding safe!!!